Global reach highlights Razorback Olympians

BY ANDRES FOCIL

FAYETTEVILLE — Five current and former standouts for the University of Arkansas women’s track and field team will represent five different countries during competition at the 2012 Summer Olympic Games. The list of representatives features current student-athletes Regina George of Nigeria, Ivanique Kemp of the Bahamas and Tina Sutej of Slovenia, and former Razorbacks Veronica Campbell-Brown of Jamaica and Kerri-Ann Mitchell of Canada. Competition begins Friday with George competing in the first round of the 400 meters. Campbell-Brown and Mitchell will also be in action on day one of the track and field competition with the opening rounds of the 100 meters. George is making her first appearance at the Olympics and will compete at 400 meters. She qualified for the event with a victory at the Nigerian Championships in June. George was the 2012 SEC outdoor champion at 400 meters and owns the school record with her 51.11 performance at the Africa Athletics Championships. She was a five-time All-America performer during the 2012 collegiate season. Kemp is scheduled for the 100-meter hurdles in her first Olympic appearance. With an Olympic ‘B’ standard already secured, she qualified for the event with a victory at the Bahamas Championships. Kemp is the Bahamian record holder in the event with a time of 13.13. She was a two-time All-American in 2012 and the SEC outdoor runner-up. A two-time NCAA champion in the pole vault, Sutej will be making her Olympic debut. She ended her collegiate career as the NCAA record holder in both indoor and outdoor events, including an outdoor mark of 4.61m/15.1.5 set at the 2011 SEC Championships. Sutej recorded a season-best clearance of 4.55m/14-11 on her way to victory at the Texas Relays. Campbell-Brown is making the fourth Olympic appearance of her career, and will compete at 100 meters and 200 meters. She is the defending Olympic champion at 200 meters. Overall, Campbell-Brown is a five-time Olympic medalist, including three gold medals. Mitchell will also compete at 100 meters in her Olympic debut. She qualified with a third-place finish at the Canadian Olympic Trials. Several Razorbacks are also part of the relay pool for their respective countries. Relay competition at the Olympics begins Aug. 9. To follow Arkansas’ progress in London, follow @RazorbackTF on Twitter or visit the 2012 Olympic Central page at ArkansasRazorbacks.com.Razorbacks in LondonCurrent Regina George (NGR) — 400m Ivanique Kemp (BAH) — 100m Hurdles Tina Sutej* (SLO) — Pole VaultFormer Veronica Campbell-Brown [2004] (JAM) — 100m, 200m Kerri-Ann Mitchell [2002-04] (CAN) — 100m * – completed eligibility in 2012